Hi 32-20, fyi any decent fabric would not be sold in areas like the Sheung Wan market or Sham Shui Po. Those areas tend to sell mainland Chinese or lower quality fabrics only. For luxury European fabrics like Loro Piana, Zegna, etc you would need to have an existing relationship with the provider (leave sums of at least $50-100K HSD as a deposit). Sorry to break it to you!

I'm inclined to believe you.

I was in the South Bund Fabric Market in Shanghai today. I told myself I wouldn't buy anything on my first trip to the area, but I wasn't even remotely tempted. I was told by one vendor that they don't have anything without cashmere in it. Maybe throwing the word cashmere onto the label is just their way of saying "super happy auspicious sincere good fortune high quality" in English. In another vendor I covered the label and asked if there was cashmere in the fabric; was told no; showed the label, and was assured that a label is just a label and doesn't mean anything. Not in this market, for sure.

About half the "wool" stock is marked as "Super 880s" or "Super 220s." I did notice a catalogue with labels written entirely in Chinese. I'll have to research the relevant characters and see if these catalogues lie as enthusiastically.

Still, I'm holding out hope for some 100% wool with a low super number; I'm new to this fabric business, but my impression was that thicker, rougher fabrics (my preference) are cheaper, or more likely to be found in a low end retailer.

Hi 32-20, fyi any decent fabric would not be sold in areas like the Sheung Wan market or Sham Shui Po. Those areas tend to sell mainland Chinese or lower quality fabrics only. For luxury European fabrics like Loro Piana, Zegna, etc you would need to have an existing relationship with the provider (leave sums of at least $50-100K HSD as a deposit). Sorry to break it to you!

+1 to this. Most of the "designer" fabric in Western Market (Sheung Wan) is counterfeit Chinese crap. Some of the "wool" isn't even wool. One of the vendor's sons himself confessed this to me. (Not like I wasn't already suspicious!) Good luck finding some good cloth.

@32-20 re: your post above. My comment here is not to say that there aren't some decent mid-lower end fabrics here that can be had for a reasonable price. It's just that they are likely priced beyond what they actually are and it will be up to you to identify, confront and drive a really hard bargain. In my experience, most Chinese sales people will give in if you really call their bluff and bargain accordingly. You just need to show them you know what you're talking about.

What sort of fabric are you looking to buy? And for what purpose are you looking to buy just the fabric?

Let me know and I might be able to give you some tips. Most of the ones in Shanghai will be garbage to be quite frank, the Chinese ones are all counterfeit with their Super 220 wool hahaha.

For us (Moda Republic), we have had to leave money directly with providers here in HK, or in some instances with some in Europe. If you think about it from a Tailor's perspective it is actually better that these fabric providers do not just sell fabric to anyone on the street as it helps to maintain the brand premium. Good luck!

What sort of fabric are you looking to buy? And for what purpose are you looking to buy just the fabric?

Let me know and I might be able to give you some tips. Most of the ones in Shanghai will be garbage to be quite frank, the Chinese ones are all counterfeit with their Super 220 wool hahaha.

For us (Moda Republic), we have had to leave money directly with providers here in HK, or in some instances with some in Europe. If you think about it from a Tailor's perspective it is actually better that these fabric providers do not just sell fabric to anyone on the street as it helps to maintain the brand premium. Good luck!

Plain charcoal worsted - maybe some pale grey, all ideally European winter weight, but the odds are looking vanishingly small. It'd be for a suit from a mid-range Hong Kong tailor. In providing the fabric myself, I'm hoping to cut down costs rather than pursue a greater degree of customisation.

For European winters, you're looking at 13oz or more. Generally, for entry-level fabrics, CMT isn't cheaper. For example, MyTailor charges more for CMT than they charge for their cheapest shirts. If you can find a HK tailor who stocks 13oz cloth, just go with what they have. Otherwise, check out Harrison's Burley on eBay.

Plain charcoal worsted - maybe some pale grey, all ideally European winter weight, but the odds are looking vanishingly small. It'd be for a suit from a mid-range Hong Kong tailor. In providing the fabric myself, I'm hoping to cut down costs rather than pursue a greater degree of customisation.

Hi 32-20 just fyi it actually will work out more expensive for you if you plan to use your own fabric and ask a tailor to make your suit for you unless you have access to extremely cheap and good fabric.

Hi 32-20 just fyi it actually will work out more expensive for you if you plan to use your own fabric and ask a tailor to make your suit for you unless you have access to extremely cheap and good fabric.

Hi Alex,

It was not my expenience though.
Would you mind to quote me a 2 pcs H&S Snowy River your company charge?

Anyone have any recent experience with Y William Yu in Hong Kong? I am looking to have two good suits made while I am in HK for a week coming up and want to make the most of my visit, as well as get the best value for my money. YWY appears to be 4/6 the cost of Chan and 4/5 the cost of Gordon Yao.

I am good to go with YWY or should I pony up the extra money for Chan or Yao as I may not get back to HK anytime soon. Anyone with recent experience and/or options re: these tailors would be very much appreciated.

I having used William Yu but I have seen their stuff not in the same level as WW Chan or Gordon Yao. In terms of handwork and quality WW Chan is amongst the best in Hong Kong. Having said that a recent change of policy is concerning. There are offering only 2 fittings, it would be fine if you are not are hard fit. In the old days Patrick will not let you out the door unless everything is perfect, in one case I had 4 fittings on a suit.

I having used William Yu but I have seen their stuff not in the same level as WW Chan or Gordon Yao. In terms of handwork and quality WW Chan is amongst the best in Hong Kong. Having said that a recent change of policy is concerning. There are offering only 2 fittings, it would be fine if you are not are hard fit. In the old days Patrick will not let you out the door unless everything is perfect, in one case I had 4 fittings on a suit.

A little off topic, but hopefully still interesting for others as well:

Tchoy: would you be able to make a (rough) comparison between WW Chan and BNTailor (handwork, fit, service, whatever you think appropriate)? Just curious.....